Real Madrid lost on their visit to San Mamés for the LaLiga matchday 19 clash, which had been brought forward for the teams involved in the Spanish Super Cup. Athletic Club flew out the blocks in dominant fashion, creating the first threatening moment with just four minutes played, as the off-balance Nico Williams got his shot off, only to be denied by Courtois’ outstretched glove. It was the only real chance our team conceded in the opening quarter of an hour, despite the hosts’ insistance. With 13 minutes on the clock, the game’s most controversial moment arose when Rodrygo went down in the box under Gorosabel’s challenge, and Sánchez Martínez headed to the monitor on the advice of the VAR. Having reviewed the contact, he opted not to point to the spot.
From that point to the break, the intense encounter threw up only one more chance of note. With half an hour gone, Berenguer fired over the crossbar when through one-on-one against Courtois. The game turned against our team early in the second half, when Berenguer did find the net on 53’, pouncing on a rebound off Courtois. Ancelotti’s boys produced a reaction six minutes later, Rodrygo winning the ball back in the opposition box, before pulling it back for Mbappé, whose shot was gathered by Agirrezabala .
Our boys continued to push forward, and with 66 minutes played, they had a fine chance to level. Rodrygo sent in a free-kick from the flank, Rüdiger rose highest to head towards goal and was punched in the head by Agirrezabala inside the area. Sánchez Martínez pointed to the spot, Mbappé stepped up to take it but the Athletic goalkeeper kept him out. With 79 minutes gone, though, it was finally 1-1. Mbappé found room for a shot from the edge of the box, Agirrezabala parried and Bellingham was on hand to turn the ball into the back of the net with his right boot. The Englishman has now scored in all of his last four LaLiga games.
Madrid streamed forward and came within inches of making it 1-2 straight from the Athletic kick-off, but Rodrygo’s powerful drive from inside the box was turned away by the goalkeeper once more. The game had become a free-for-all and from a possible 1-2, the scoreboard went to 2-1 in the hosts’ favour on 80’. Guruzeta made the most of mistake as our boys looked to play the ball out to net the game’s decisive goal.
